Floriana’s new look acquires victory

Floriana Car Parks 88 Gzira Athleta 78 (30-19, 20-27, 17-20, 21-12)

The match proved to be an intriguing one with Floriana finally getting the spoils over a frantic Athleta outfit who were always close to their adversaries drawing level and going ahead at times.

The Greens seemed to be tiring out after the interval but they picked themselves up to keep Athleta in the chase till the end.

Floriana doubled their foreign intake with the introduction of American Ian Theisen and Spaniard Ignacio Arias. Athleta recalled Michael Naudi back to the side and American Vincent Pace became eligible but were unfortunate to lose two players in midweek training – Peter Shoults and American Carson Shanks – who had to delay his league debut.

Floriana were the pushing side at first as Theisen made an early triple but Athleta were reacting each time through Pace and another American Kwame Thompson. Belgian Gael Hulsen, who played a remarkable match, put in a trey for Floriana.

Later on Theisen and Hulsen made other triples as their side opened up a useful advantage. Athleta managed to slice off a bit of their deficit by the end of the session.

The second period had Floriana still in control until Athleta's treys began pouring in. Nathan Xuereb grabbed a brace with others from Pace Ivan Mitrovic and Serbian Alex Perunicic. Athleta were close but the Estonian Kevin Liivamagi trey and more Hulsen points kept the Greens ahead till the interval on a high 50-46 score.

After the break, Floriana were again striding in front once more as Kurt Xuereb netted a trey. Athleta managed an 8-1 run and they were level. Later on they went ahead with a Matthew Gouder trey for their only advantage in the game.

Floriana struck back and Liivamagi made a second triple to put his side just ahead at 67-66. In the last session, Floriana were opening small leads but Athleta went nearer each time until a 7-0 run with more Hulsen points took the Greens into a double figure lead.

Athleta tried to fight back but time was against them and Floriana could hold out till the end to register their opening league victory.

Floriana: S. Pace 2, D. Bugeja 7, I. Arias, S. Borg , K. Caruana , K. Liivamagi 8, C. Calleja, Ian Thiessen 30, K. Xuereb 11, G. Hulsen 30, D. Agius

Athleta: M. Naudi 9, M. Gauci Montaldo, L. Stefanovic, A. Perunicic 7, N. Xuereb 14, M. Gouder 7, K. Thompson 19, V. Pace 19, I. Mitrovic 3

Referees: T. Mantere, K. Dworniczak, D. Torok